[st3fan]

If that's what you mean, no laptop is going to be acceptable. Laptop keyboards are crap. Laptop ergonomics are crap. Laptop expandability is crap.

Well, I tried the 11.6" in the Apple Store today. The keyboard is awesome. It is a full sized keyboard. There is nothing 'laptop' about it. So it is exactly what you are used to if you have been using the recent wireless keyboard.

[jrockway]

These are not good keyboards. See current front page article about mechanical keyboards for more details.

[runjake]

It's subjective. They're great keyboards and I love them. As a former hoarder of IBM buckling spring keyboards, I'll take an Apple keyboard any day. And a Magic Mouse, too.

They're what I'm comfortable with and that makes them good.

[jrockway]

Well, buckling spring keyboards are not that great either. Time to update your standards from the early 80s to the late 80s...

[runjake]

My standards are a bit different. I use what I like, not what other people tell me I should.

PS: I didn't down arrow you. What's with all the Redditesque down voting lately?

[jrockway]

I use what I like, not what other people tell me I should.

Blub :)

Seriously though, I was a big Model M fan for a while. Then I tried something newer, and could never go back.

Also, the new keyboards are less likely to cause your desk to collapse ;)

[mzl]

As ohers said, it is a very subjective qestion. Personally, my hands start to hurt after about 15 minutes typing on a "real" keyboard.

That being said, the ergonomics of using a laptop-style keyboard is usually much better when it is external than when it is connected to a computer. The thinness of the Air might change this though, haven't tried it yet.

[jrockway]

Personally, my hands start to hurt after about 15 minutes typing on a "real" keyboard.

Which model, specifically?

[mzl]

Essentially anything with more travel-distance than a laptop keyboard. I've tried a lot of different models. Currently, I'm using a Logitech diNovo as my main keyboard, but I'm looking for a replacement since it is starting to break.

[jrockway]

Ah, OK. I thought you were talking about mechanical keyboards, and then I found it strange that you were still having trouble.

I have a coworker whose right pinky finger starts hurting about an hour into using a keyboard. He replaced his no-name rubber dome keyboard with a Cherry Brown-based Filco, and the problem was solved. The advantage a mechanical keyboard offers over the standard rubber-dome keyboard is that you don't have to press the key to the bottom of it's travel to make it register. This limits the force that your finger is required to transmit to something like 60g, instead of an infinite amount as you press the key against the immobile bottom of the keyboard. Less stress, less pain.

Anyway, if you do get a mechanical keyboard, just make sure to consciously avoid bottoming out for a while. If you pound on it, it will still hurt.

[mzl]

Thanks for the info. Maybe I'll try something a bit more mechanical for my next keyboard. I'll definetly remeber to try and stop bottoming out if I get one :)

[protomyth]

I actually find the Mac laptop keyboards to work pretty well (other than the crap placement of the fn key). I am not sure why, but I don't feel as great with the wireless keyboard. I thought their was no difference but it sure feels like it.

My desktop setup is a matias keyboard.

[wyclif]

There's just no way a Mac keyboard is as good for someone who does a lot of key entry as a Unicomp or similar third party hardware.